Understanding Elections
USC elections give you the power to shape the campus experience. Vote for your student leaders or run for a position to make a difference. Get involved and make your voice count!
Understanding Elections
Each Year, the USC hosts elections on behalf of itself and other governance bodies at Western. Learn more about them and how you can get involved.Â
Information
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USC Elections are a key part of how Western students shape their campus experience. Organized by the University Students’ Council (USC)—Western’s official undergraduate student union—these elections determine the student leaders who will represent student voices, advocate for their needs, and oversee vital campus programs and services.
The USC doesn’t just run its own elections for positions like President, Vice-Presidents, and Councillors. As a student union, we also provide election administration services for faculties, professional schools, and other student associations. This ensures fair, transparent, and accessible elections across Western’s campus, making the democratic process a cornerstone of student life.
Who oversees these elections? That responsibility falls to the Elections Governance Committee (EGC). The EGC is an impartial body tasked with ensuring that all elections are conducted with fairness and transparency. They oversee everything from creating rules and managing candidate concerns to reviewing any complaints or appeals during the election period.
Whether you’re voting in USC leadership elections or participating in faculty or association elections, USC Elections are your chance to have your voice heard and shape the future of student life.
USC Elections occur in two main periods each year:
- Spring General Elections (Typically in February):
These elections are held at the beginning of the year and are the big event where undergraduate students vote for key roles like the USC President, Western Senate Undergraduate Representatives, Western’s Board of Governors Undergraduate Representatives, Faculty Presidents and Councillors to represent them in student governance activities. - Fall By-Elections (Typically in October):
If there are any vacant positions after the Spring elections, or if new roles open up, the USC holds By-Elections in the fall. These elections are smaller but just as important, as they give students another opportunity to run for or vote in certain positions that might not have been filled earlier.
Both elections and by-elections give you the chance to vote for the leaders who will represent you, advocate for your needs, and shape student life on campus. Stay informed on the exact dates by checking your email and following @westernusc. !
Yes! In addition to running elections for USC leadership roles, the USC also helps organize and administer elections for other student bodies and associations across campus by providing them the tools and platforms to reach everyone in their constituencies.
The USC provides election administration services to:
- Faculty Councils: Elections for faculty-specific leadership positions like faculty presidents and councillors that hold USC positions.
- Professional Associations: Elections support for student groups within professional schools, like law, business, or engineering.
- Other University Bodies: The USC also helps manage elections for positions on administrative bodies like the Senate or Board of Governors.
So, whether it’s for USC or other campus groups, the USC is all about helping students get involved and have their voices heard through fair, accessible elections.
Elections at the USC are overseen by a team dedicated to ensuring everything runs smoothly, fairly, and transparently. Here’s who’s involved:
- Chief Returning Officer (CRO): The CRO is in charge of the overall election process. They make sure the elections are fair, all rules are followed, and candidates meet eligibility requirements.
- Elections Governance Committee (EGC): The EGC helps set the rules, policies, and procedures for elections. They also deal with campaign finance, violations, and any other issues that may come up during the election process.
- Chief Deputy Returning Officer (CDRO): The CDRO assists with various election-related tasks and provides support to the CRO and candidates to ensure everything runs smoothly on election day.
Together, these teams ensure that elections are conducted in a transparent, fair, and organized way, so that every student’s voice can be heard.
No problem! There are plenty of ways to get involved without running for office. Here are a few options to consider:
- Paid Full and Part -Time Positions: If you’re looking for more responsibility, the USC offers a number of paid operational and governance positions. These roles can help you gain experience in student leadership, advocacy, and administration, all while earning some money. Applications for these positions will start to roll out at the end of February, early March.Â
- Volunteer for Campaigns: Help support your friends or peers running for student government. Whether it’s handing out flyers, helping with social media, or just getting the word out, campaigns always need volunteers!
- Join Committees or Clubs: Many student groups, clubs, and faculty councils are always looking for passionate students to help out with events, initiatives, or meetings. It’s a great way to get involved without the commitment of running for office.
- Attend USC Meetings or Events: Come to USC-hosted events or council meetings to see how things work and engage with what’s happening on campus. It’s an easy way to learn more and make your voice heard.
- Elections Oversight: If you’re interested in the election process itself, you can apply to help with election administration, such as working on the Elections Governance Committee.
Getting involved is all about finding the role that fits your interests and skills. You don’t need to run for an elected role to make a real impact.
Available Roles
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Ready to make a difference on campus? Here are the key roles you can run for in the USC elections:
- President: As the President, you’ll lead student advocacy, manage services and events, and represent all undergraduates at Western in political and university matters. It’s a big role with a lot of responsibility, but it’s also a chance to make real change for students.
- VP External Affairs: The VP External Affairs represents Western students off-campus, building partnerships with external organizations and lobbying for student-focused changes in the broader community. You’ll work on the issues that matter beyond our university gates.
- VP University Affairs: The VPUA role focuses on internal advocacy, ensuring that student voices are heard on campus. You’ll collaborate with campus groups, clubs, and the administration to improve student life and campus programming.
- USC Councillors: As a councillor, you’ll represent students in your faculty, pushing for change and advocating on their behalf. Councillors meet regularly to discuss issues and policies that impact student life. There are both voting and non-voting positions available, so you can have a direct role in shaping the future of the USC.
Whether you’re passionate about leadership, advocacy, or creating a better campus experience, these roles offer a unique opportunity to make an impact and represent your fellow students!
If you’re looking to get involved but not necessarily run for office but like governance, there are tons of paid roles available across different departments within the USC. These positions offer a great opportunity to gain work experience, contribute to the student experience, and get paid!
Here are some of the hired roles you can apply for:
- VP Orientation and Programming (FT)
- VP Student Services (FT)
- VP Student Engagement (FT)
- Associate Vice President(s) (FT)
- Interns (FT)
- Council Speaker (PT)
- Council Deputy Speaker (PT)
- Coordinator(s) (PT)
- Chief Returning Officer (PT)
- Chief Deputy Returning Officer (PT)
These roles play a critical part in shaping student life, from managing services to helping run elections and overseeing student governance. If you’re passionate about advocacy, leadership, or student services, there’s a role for you! If you’re looking for other opportunities like operational and volunteer roles, check out our active postings here.
Other USC Hosted Elections
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Board of Governors
The BOG is Western’s top decision-making body, overseeing long-term planning, finances, and accountability to stakeholders. Students work alongside senior administrators to influence university priorities and improve the student experience.
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Senate
The Senate oversees academic governance at Western, making key decisions about academic policies, programs, and standards. Students collaborate with faculty and administrators to shape the future of education at the university.